A/N: Hello once again, Audience! After that brief respite, we're back! I had a dream about Toby again a while back... Except that this time I can't remember anything save for 'Man, this'll inspire me to write more,' a line that I thought in the dream itself. Dangit. TWANSITION! Late again on the posting, I know. I couldn't get the inspiration for this chapter until about five hours ago, but I kept getting distracted and didn't get it done until after I'd planned on posting it. As usual, no?
When we last left off Toby and Jane were escaping an attack from the mob at Janey's apartment with the help of Stan and his friends. They jumped off the balcony and clambered into a getaway car with Derek's help...
Jane pulled the seat belt over her shoulder, glancing nervously behind to see if any of the mob members were going to come around the corner of her building and spot their escape.
"We'd better go." Derek spoke up as he closed the backseat door. "Everyone's in."
When Jane finally looked over to see who drove the escape vehicle, she was surprised to find that Peter manned the wheel.
Peter checked his rear-view mirror and then caught her staring at him, a small smile playing at his lips as he shifted from park into drive and took off down the street.
"You were expecting someone else?" He asked quietly so that their conversation would not carry to the backseat where Derek was checking Toby's temperature as Toby fussed about 'being fine.'
Jane opened her mouth to respond, but closed it, frowning.
"I don't know who I was expecting." She admitted, shrugging a little.
"But it wasn't me, hm?" His smile grew slightly in his amusement, his eyes briefly flickering over to her. He tossed his head slightly to clear his dark bangs out from his vision and turned the blinker on his car to indicate his intent to go left.
Laughing self-consciously, Jane nodded, "I suppose not. I guess I didn't envision you in the get-away-car."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You seem more like the type to have twelve butlers clamoring for your every need." Jane teased.
Peter's expression wavered, though he said nothing.
Jane did not take any notice of his facial response as she already gazed out the window.
"Where exactly are you taking us?" She wondered out loud.
Peter met Derek's eyes in the rear-view mirror and something exchanged silently between them.
"I think for now the safest place will be my house." Peter finally answered. "We'll figure something out when we get there."
The car ride remained silent for the next mile or so, mostly because Toby had fallen back asleep and snored lightly in his seat.
"Jane..." Peter started, pausing and obviously reluctant to even continue whatever he meant to say.
When she looked over at him, he broke down and went on.
"Do you have any idea why Toby's getting chased?"
From the back seat Derek's ears perked up, himself interested in any answer.
"Do you?" Jane countered, something about the way he asked getting her to think that he had more information than he appeared willing to tell.
Peter sighed and shook his head, "No. But anything would be helpful at this point. I think this is bigger than Toby is letting everyone think..."
Jane didn't respond, a couple of instances of conversations with Toby flashing through her head and pulling up red flags.
Catching her guilty expression, Peter said nothing else, waiting to see if Jane would speak.
"I-I..." Jane took a deep breath, "I didn't really think too much about it at the time, but I think this might have something to do with my uncle. Like, he's the one behind all of it."
Peter nodded, seeing that Jane had more to say.
"And Rebekah," she said the name with no small ounce of venom in her voice, "Showing up today just drives that point home."
Both Peter and Derek had been privy to conversations over even their brief friendship with Jane about her uncle, especially after their encounter with Rebekah and her twin brother Edward at the laundry mat. They distinctly remembered the pair, in fact, and exchanged another glance over Peter's rear-view mirror, both their faces dark.
"This is the second time I've been told my uncle wants to see me." Jane went on after having gathered her thoughts, speaking almost to herself, "And he's never taken any interest in me before."
"It's always been your mother, hasn't it?" Peter questioned kindly.
Jane nodded, "And that's always been romantic in nature."
It was Derek and Peter's turn to nod, as she had said this to them previously.
"He's never even acknowledged my existence." Jane muttered. "Why does he care now?"
"Some how it has to tie in with whatever trouble Toby has gotten himself into." Peter connected thoughtfully, "Because otherwise, why would he, or rather, Rebekah, be seen with Toby's mob?"
"I guess." Jane shrugged, "I have no idea what that connection is, though. I didn't know Toby existed before we were kind of thrown together once while he was getting chased."
Peter looked thoughtful but didn't say anything.
Jane shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"How far away is your place?" She wanted to know.
"Mm. Just a few miles. Shouldn't take too long."
"Good." Jane bobbed her head once.
"Why?"
Jane laughed, "Because I have to go to the bathroom."
. . .
"Jane, we're here."
The soft voice pulled Jane out of the light sleep she awoke from and she blinked over at Peter who smiled in her direction as he pulled into the driveway of his home.
"You looked like you needed the rest."
Jane nodded, moving part of her hair out of her face as she leaned over to look out the window, "It's been a long couple of days."
Her eyes widened when she recognized the richer side of L.A. beyond the glass and when she turned back to Peter, he wouldn't make eye-contact with her, putting the car into park in the half-circle driveway in front of the house.
As Jane slowly got out, she craned her neck around the beautifully manicured lawn and gardens around the front yard, taking in the façade of the house, which rose majestically in front of her, complete with awning and columns above the white-marble steps leading to the main door to the inside.
Jane did not see where he appeared from, but an older man with graying hair in a black suit that reminded Jane of a butler approached Peter, holding his hand out.
"Don't worry about parking the car, Sebastian." Peter shook his head, "We have guests and are in a bit of a tight spot. It's been a hectic morning."
"Yes, sir. I'll prepare a light brunch then, shall I?" The butler retracted his hand and grasped it together with his other hand behind his back, standing tall and awaiting Peter's response.
Peter nodded, then asked, "Is Suzuki around?"
"I do believe she out purchasing some things for the house."
"Good. The longer she is away the better. When she comes back, tell her she has the rest of the day off to spend away from the house as she pleases."
"Very good, sir." Sebastian turned on his heels and move back towards the front door.
"Oh, as you go-" Peter came around the car and put his hand on Jane's back. "Would you mind showing her to the restroom? And then getting her to the living room? That's where we will be." Peter lightly pushed Jane so that she knew to walk forwards.
"If you would be so kind as to follow me, miss." Sebastian said to her as she started up the stairs after him, entering the house when he opened the door.
That taken care of, Peter turned back to Derek and Toby.
Derek had retrieved Toby from the car, and walked around to the other side towards the house, Derek heavily supporting Toby who still seemed to be asleep, and whose face was rather pale.
"Out cold, huh?" Peter commented, motioning with his head to the house and walking over to the side Derek didn't support, taking Toby's arm over his shoulders and helping with the burden.
"Not quite." Derek replied simply as the two of them started for the steps, "But he's still not in very good shape."
"Let's get him inside and to the couch. He can rest again there."
. . .
Toby could hear the shrieks of joy coming from behind him, but he didn't look back. He ran. He ran as fast as he could, his breath racking at his lungs. He'd been running for so long...so long.
The pavement of the sidewalk felt like it slammed against his heelys with each running step he took, sending jarring shockwaves of pain up through the rest of his body.
His throat was dry, his nose stung, his sides were throbbing with the effort, and even so, he could not stop, could not slow down.
In the distance, he saw the corner of the avenue coming closer, a building where he could turn left and maybe lose them in the alley.
He took a precious moment and glanced over his shoulder.
He could not see them, but he knew they were there somewhere, somewhere behind him, en masse, awaiting his mistake to catch up to him.
Just a few more steps. The alley was not far now. Just a few more feet. Just a few more...
His arms pumped madly as he ran, and he could feel even his bones beginning to ache.
The corner was just within reach and with a last burst of energy, he rounded the corner with all his might, promptly smacking into someone and falling onto his rear on the ground.
A trickle of blood started falling from the corner of his lip and he wiped it away, scrambling up and reaching down to help the woman he knocked over to her feet.
"Janey?" He exclaimed.
Jane took the hands Toby offered and let him help pull her standing.
"Toby! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
Toby didn't think to back up as she stood, and with their faces and bodies so close in the alley, his heart beginning to pound loudly for different reasons in his chest, all thoughts of his previous pain gone.
While they were nearly the same height, Jane's face still had to tip up in order to look Toby in the eyes, and she did not let go of his hands.
Jane nervously licked her lips, her eyes flicking behind her shoulder.
Toby followed her gaze and heard sounds of the mob squealing behind her.
"I'm sorry." Jane tilted her head down and closed her eyes. "They followed me too."
Toby's lips turn upwards in a small smile, and though he felt it a little cliché, he let go of one of her hands and tucked a part of her hair that was frazzled from her own run and hanging in her face behind her ear, moving his touch down to her chin to tip her face back towards his.
"Janey..." He breathed over her, "I'm just glad I found you."
She did not say anything, staring softly into his eyes, but her expression evoked feelings of her agreement in him.
Her lips parted a little as she reached up and brushed hair back from his forehead, softly smiling.
Toby sighed, leaning down and putting his forehead against hers, resting a hand against her neck.
Janey leaned into him, then slowly started to lift her face.
Inches apart, Toby could feel the breath from her slightly open mouth brush warmly over his chin as their gazes locked again. His heart started pounding quicker and he tentatively reached around her to rest his hand just above her hips at the small of her back. When she did not flinch, Toby caressed her cheek with a thumb, starting to close the distance between the two of them just as the mobs burst around the corner on the scene.
"Toby... Toby..."
They both didn't seem to notice, in their own private world together, even as the mob's shrieking tried to invade into their moment, yelling Toby's name.
"Toby. Toby!"
"I'm so sorry, Toby." Jane breathed, her eyes flitting down to his lips before returning to his hazel gaze.
"It...doesn't matter." He slightly shook his head, closing his eyes and parting his lips just as they touched-
"Toby? Toby..."
-just as they touched-
"Toby, we need you to wake up now."
Their lips touched ever so slightly and-
"Toby, please?" The voice was soft and pleading in his ear, just loud enough that Toby couldn't ignore it and go back to the wonderful dream he was having.
Their lips touched and Toby pulled Janey the rest of the way against his body, feeling her-
"Tooooby."
This time Toby felt the back of a hand stroke gently at his cheek, and he heaved a sigh, slowly opening his eyes and squinting at the bright room around him. It was such a pleasant dream too.
Jane sat back into the couch next to him when she saw him blink sleepily and waited for him to wake up a bit more.
"Where are we?" He finally asked, sitting up and rubbing an eye with his palm before taking a look at the living room around them.
"Peter drove us to his house."
"Wow. This is nice."
"I know."
Toby took particular notice of a giant TV that was mounted on the wall.
"That's...that's the biggest screen I've seen. Ever."
Jane followed his gaze and nodded in assent, "I know. It's gotta be at least twenty feet across."
"Twenty point two, Miss."
Jane and Toby searched the room for the owner of the voice just in time to see the butler enter the room pushing a cart filled with food and drinks.
"I don't believe we've met," He addressed Toby as he brought the cart over to the large coffee table in front of the couch. "You may call me Sebastian. I am Peter's butler."
"He has a butler?" Toby questioned
"That's what I've been told." Sebastian replied, never batting an eye as he started to place the dishes in front of them.
"I'm Toby. Toby Turner."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Turner." Sebastian nodded towards him, continuing to empty the cart of its contents.
"The pleasure is all mine." Toby responded good-naturedly.
Sebastian smiled a little.
"Will Derek and Peter return soon?" Jane wanted to know.
"They stepped out to discuss something at length, Miss. I believe one or the both of them were going to make a few calls regarding the situation at hand."
Toby's face darkened a bit.
"I suspect they will return soon. But I can go and check on their status if you would like?"
"Please." Jane requested.
"I shall tell them to return as soon as possible." As he placed the last dish on the table, he inclined his head slightly to them both and left the room, pushing the tray before him.
The room went quiet for a moment while Jane surveyed the 'light brunch' Sebastian had prepared. She reached for a plate and started to serve herself.
"This looks so good." She gushed, "I haven't eaten since yesterday." She picked up a ripe strawberry from one of the bowls and immediately bit into it, savoring the juice for only a moment before being unable to stand it any longer and quickly munching the rest into her mouth.
"I'm sorry, Janey." Toby finally said, his voice faint and hard to hear.
Jane, who had continued to grab hungrily for bits of the food, slowed for a moment, placing the small, triangle sliced sandwich on her plate and pausing for a moment, staring down intently at it.
"For what?" She brightly turned her face towards Toby, smiling at him.
He was holding his hands in his lap, picking absently at one of his fingers.
"For...for this." He openly gestured with both arms to the room around them, at a loss of words for the whole situation. "For dragging you into all of this. For leading the mob to your apartment. For running to your table and sitting down at Caffe Luxxe-"
"Toby Turner." Jane cut him off severely, a frown on her face as she looked at him.
Toby met her eyes, his face a mix of feelings. Guilt. Frustration. Regret.
"I'm not sorry at all."
Toby opened his mouth as if to speak, but Jane continued, louder, so that he would shut up and listen.
"I'm not sorry you interrupted my regularly scheduled morning coffee with your wild, mob-escaping antics."
The ghost of a smile passed over Toby's features at the memory.
"I'm not sorry you ran into me and spilled coffee all down my front."
The regret from before filled his face completely, but Jane went on,
"I'm not even sorry that you left your keys at my apartment and I ran to rescue you, but was too slow and you got caught by the mob!"
At that one, Toby looked as if he was going to protest again, but Jane held up a hand to indicate she wasn't finished.
"Furthermore, I'm not sorry for sleeping at your house, in your bed, nor am I sorry for, for missing a coffee date for being sick," here she began ticking things off of the fingers of one hand, "Or for the late-night dinner date we had, which was so much fun that I-"
"Okay, okay!" Toby finally burst out laughing, holding his hands up in defeat. "I get it, gurl. I get it."
Janey went back to smiling at him, lowering her hands back down to hold her plate steady on her lap.
"Toby Turner, my life was so scheduled and so in order before I met you."
At that, Toby went into another bout of laughter.
"I'm serious!" Jane protested over him. She went on when he quieted down, looking down at her plate thoughtfully, "I got up and did the same thing every day. The same routine, day in and day out. It's what I liked. It's what I knew."
Toby had grown very hushed and listened to her intently.
"And then you...you swept in like a butterfly in a windstorm, a man without a plan, and you were having fun." She said the last word with emphasis. "And I couldn't believe it."
Toby cringed at her descriptions of him, but stayed quiet.
"I couldn't remember the last time before I met you that I'd had fun." This time Jane almost whispered the word, nervously moving a piece of food on her plate. "I don't know what possessed you to sit down at my table that day. I probably looked pretty pathetic. I felt that way. B-but-" Even before Jane stammered, her words had started to take a British lilt to them, but she didn't seem to notice. She peeked up at Toby timidly from behind a bit of hair that fell over her eyes, "...you're most likely the best thing that's ever run crazily into my life. I don't know why you're friends with me. But I'm so glad you are."
When Toby felt that the time had come for him to speak up now, to affirm Jane's monologue and agree with it, express how much he valued their friendship, loved what few dates they'd had, how he wanted to get to know her better, somehow find time in his busy schedule to spend even more time with her, maybe even get her involved in his schedule so he could see her every day-
The thoughts were racing across Toby's mind and not a single one of them would sit still long enough for him to grasp a hold of it, to form actual words with it and speak out loud in some semblance of coherence. His heart started racing, the seconds counting down to awkwardness, where the moment would have passed and anything after would just appear forced or insincere.
Toby Joe Turner...was speechless.
"Janey..." He felt as if her name was a good start, "Janey, I-"
The giant TV screen on the wall flickered on, a white screen popping up with strange symbols scrolling across the screen, a sudden noise like an over-sized telephone ringing reverberating through the large room.
The door Sebastian disappeared through opened abruptly, Peter and Derek rushing back into the room.
Derek moved to sit in the chair nearest to Jane.
When Peter saw the screen and the symbols scrolling across it, his eyebrows met in a frown behind his glasses, and he slowed as he rounded other the side of the couch opposite Derek. Coming to a stop next to Toby, he folded his arms over his chest and remained standing.
He said a word aloud, presumably to the screen, that Jane did not recognize, and the whiteness changed to show, waist-up, a man of Japanese appearance seated behind a desk, his hands laced together and his arms resting on top of the desk.
"Ah, Haruki. You're there. Good." The man's voice was deep and resounded well in the large room. He pushed his glasses up farther on his face in a gesture that seemed familiar to Jane before returning his hand back down to the desk.
Peter leaned back slightly against the arm of the couch, "Hello, father."
Thanks for reading. Bless your face. If you sneezed during this chapter, bless you. Peace off. Ba-da-do-do-do-do-do-do-do REVIEW! OUTRO OF DARKNESS THEN REDNESS THEEEN WHITENESS. THEN...BOOP!